Bowles Named to Lead Berkshire

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/7/2008 12:00:00 AM

Ware, Mass. —

Blanket, throw and home accessory supplier Berkshire Blanket has named Thomas Bowles ceo, replacing ceo and founder Rick Lotuff, who will remain active on the board of directors.

Lotuff founded the company in 1993 and grew it into a leading designer and marketer of premium blankets and throws in fleece and other fabrications, which trade under its own name and the Better Living moniker, as well as the Nautica brand and a range of private labels.

In 2006, Lotuff led the sale of the company to New York-based private equity firm Cordova, Smart and Williams.

Bowles, with more than 25 years of experience in the textiles, apparel, home and retail industries, was most recently ceo of Decorative Concepts, a home products design, marketing and manufacturing company. His other executive stints include coo of Russ Berrie and Co., group president of Hartmarx, president of Golden Bear/Jack Nicklaus Enterprises and vice chairman and ceo of Klienert's/Buster Brown.

Lotuff commented, "Tom is the ideal leader to build on what has been accomplished. I am proud of what we have achieved and look forward to our future growth and development."

"We are extremely pleased to have Tom Bowles join Berkshire as ceo at this critical juncture in its history," said Berkshire chairman Michael Smart, adding, "We are delighted that Rick will remain on the board of directors providing guidance."